John B Kortbeek B.Med.Sc., MD FRCSC FACSProfessor, Departments of Surgery and Community Health Sciences

John Kortbeek is a graduate of the University of Alberta. He completed an internship

at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron Ohio and a General Surgery residency at the

University of Calgary. He trained as a Critical Care fellow at the University of

Calgary and as a Trauma fellow at Carraway Methodist Medical Centre in

Birmingham, Alabama. He has held an appointment at the University of Calgary

since 1991 and is currently a Professor in the Departments of Surgery and Critical Care. He continues to practice

General Surgery, Trauma and Critical care.

Dr. Kortbeek has previously served as President of the Trauma Association of Canada, as Chair of the

Advanced Trauma Life Support subcommittee of the American College of Surgeon’s Committee on Trauma, as a

Governor for the American College of Surgeons and as a Director of the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society in

Canada.

He is currently working with the Office of Global Health at the Cumming School of Medicine where he is

committed to overseas work to support the U of C’s Global Health initiatives in Nepal and Laos. His influence has

been felt across the country – indeed, around the world. As chair and then international director of the ACS

Advanced Trauma Life Support subcommittee, his work introduced a number of changes to update the program,

curriculum, policies and procedures. These changes helped ensure the ongoing success and promulgation of a

program which has had tremendous impact on trauma care internationally. He has personally taught and lectured

in over 30 countries.

“I began overseas work through the American College of Surgeons, when I was invited to join teams

assisting in the promulgation of advanced trauma life support courses,” says Dr. Kortbeek.

“I have had the pleasure of working in many countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. Some highlights included

working in Lithuania in the early 2000s as the country was transitioning from the Soviet Union to the EU, as

well Iran and Egypt witnessing the changes occurring in those countries. It has been a wonderful experience to

meet remarkable and passionate health professionals who are determined to improve trauma care in their

countries.”

Students in Thakhet Laos observing a medical procedure in trauma care been taught conjointly by Professor Vongphet (foreground, in black) and Dr. John Kortbeek (far right)

Trauma Course, Laos, 2019Team:Upper line: Dr. Gwen Hollar (Center for Global Surgery - Director, second on the right), Professor Vongphet (Far right), Dr. John Kortbeek and his lovely wife, Vici, retired pediatric nurse, in Thakhet Laos with some of the students. (Family Medicine Residents).

Dr. Oulayphone, the program director for University Health Sciences in Thakhet is front and centre (Light brown shirt)